Jaguar MkII 3.4 Manual Overdrive

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WE REGRET TO SAY THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN AND WILL NOW BE IN OUR 25th NOVEMBER SALE

Undoubtedly one of the greatest saloon cars of all time, the Jaguar MkII was launched to huge acclaim in 1959.

The top-of-the-range 3.8-litre model had stunning performance from its 220bhp straight-six engine and could embarrass most sportscars of the day, leaving them trailing in its 125mph wake. Keeping everything under control were servo-assisted disc brakes all round, coil-and-wishbone independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung Salisbury rear axle with optional limited slip diff. Inside was beautifully trimmed in walnut and leather in the finest Jaguar tradition.

A huge success both on road and track, the MKII was quick to dominate contemporary saloon car racing in the hands of drivers like Stirling Moss and Roy Salvadori. No wonder it also established itself as the ultimate get-away car. With room for four burly gangsters and a big stack of loot, no sixties’ bank job was complete without a MkII fishtailing its way from the scene of the crime.

In the middle of the range was the 3.4-litre which featured the superb twin-cam 3,442cc XK engine, a particularly sweet running unit with excellent performance that was nearly a match for the 3.8 (210bhp and 120mph top speed). Production of the MkII 3.4 ended in 1967, although a cheaper version, the 340, continued to sell until 1969.

First registered in January 1962, this Opalescent Grey 3.4 manual overdrive has had six owners from new, the fourth of whom owned it from 1988 right up until 2006. Little is known of the history of the car and the vendor bought it as a non-runner seven years ago after it had been in storage for quite some time (an online check shows that it was last taxed and on the road in 1990).

A compulsive car collector and restorer with numerous projects on the go, he couldn’t bear to see such an honest-looking Jaguar languishing unloved and unused and determined to bring it back to life. Quickly got running with little more than a thorough service, fresh fuel and a new battery, it was also treated to a full brake system overhaul (including the handbrake) and a stainless steel exhaust. As the mechanicals were so easily sorted, the vendor decided that the car deserved be improved in other areas too.

The interior was treated to new carpets, a new headlining and a retrim in grey leather (at a cost of some £2,000), while the woodwork was professionally refurbished to a very high standard (costing another £1,250) and all new door rubbers were sourced (although these have yet to be fitted). It was at this point that a chance visit to Brightwells rather threw a spanner in the works because the vendor instantly fell in love with another (far more exotic) project which he just had to buy.

The upshot is that the poor old Jag has now become surplus to requirements and the space it takes up is urgently needed for the French mistress which has so rudely stolen the vendor’s affections. With much work done already, it should now be relatively easy to get the Jaguar back on the road and, time permitting, the vendor may even try to get it MOTd before the sale. Being offered here at no reserve, it needs an enthusiastic new owner to reap the benefits of the expenditure to date and apply the finishing touches now required.